Transcatheter delivery system with two modes of actuation

ABSTRACT

A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, the delivery device comprising an inner shaft, a distal sheath disposed about a portion of the inner shaft and forming a compartment with the inner shaft, the compartment adapted to receive the valve, the inner shaft and the distal sheath being slidable relative to one another, and a handle including a frame, a deployment actuator, a lever, and a hub, each of the deployment actuator, the lever, and the hub being independently capable of opening and closing the compartment, a resheathing lock configured to alert a user of a position of the distal sheath relative to the inner shaft and to impede movement of the distal sheath relative to the frame, and an indicator disposed on the frame and capable of showing an extent of deployment of the valve.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/429,361 filed Dec. 2, 2016, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a delivery system for heart valve replacement and, in particular, for replacement of collapsible prosthetic heart valves. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to delivery systems for collapsible prosthetic heart valves that may be repositioned during the deployment procedure.

Prosthetic heart valves that are collapsible to a relatively small circumferential size can be delivered into a patient less invasively than valves that are not collapsible. For example, a collapsible valve may be delivered into a patient via a tube-like delivery apparatus such as a catheter, a trocar, a laparoscopic instrument, or the like. This collapsibility can avoid the need for a more invasive procedure such as full open-chest, open-heart surgery.

Collapsible prosthetic heart valves typically take the form of a valve structure mounted on a stent. There are two types of stents on which the valve structures are ordinarily mounted: a self-expanding stent and a balloon-expandable stent. To place such valves into a delivery apparatus and ultimately into a patient, the valve must first be collapsed or crimped to reduce its circumferential size.

When a collapsed prosthetic valve has reached the desired implant site in the patient (e.g., at or near the annulus of the patient's heart valve that is to be replaced by the prosthetic valve), the prosthetic valve can be deployed or released from the delivery apparatus and re-expanded to full operating size. For balloon-expandable valves, this generally involves releasing the entire valve, assuring its proper location, and then expanding a balloon positioned within the valve stent. For self-expanding valves, on the other hand, the stent automatically expands as the sheath covering the valve is withdrawn.

In conventional delivery systems for self-expanding aortic valves, for example, after the delivery system has been positioned for deployment, the annulus end of the valve is typically unsheathed and expanded first, while the aortic end of the valve remains sheathed. Once the annulus end of the valve has expanded, it may be determined that the valve needs to be repositioned in the patient's aortic annulus. To accomplish this, a user (such as a surgeon or an interventional cardiologist) typically resheathes the annulus end of the valve so that the valve can be repositioned while in a collapsed state. After the valve has been repositioned, the user can again release the valve.

Once a self-expanding valve has been fully deployed, it expands to a diameter larger than that of the sheath that previously retained the valve in the collapsed condition, making resheathing difficult. In order for the user to be able to more readily resheathe a valve, it is preferable that the valve be only partially deployed, with a portion of the valve still collapsed inside of the sheath.

Despite the various improvements that have been made to the collapsible prosthetic heart valve delivery process, conventional delivery devices, systems, and methods suffer from some shortcomings. For example, in some delivery devices for self-expanding valves, it is difficult to control how much of the valve remains in the sheath during a partial deployment, and the user may accidentally deploy the valve fully before verifying that the annulus end of the valve is in the optimal position in the patient's valve annulus, thereby taking away the opportunity to resheathe and reposition the valve. Moreover, it is difficult during prosthetic heart valve delivery to determine whether a valve assembly will function as intended without full deployment of the heart valve. Due to anatomical variations between patients, a fully deployed heart valve may need to be removed from the patient if it appears that the valve is not functioning properly. Removing a fully deployed heart valve increases the length of the procedure and increases the risk of infection and/or damage to heart tissue.

There therefore is a need for further improvements to the devices, systems, and methods for transcatheter delivery of collapsible prosthetic heart valves, and in particular, self-expanding prosthetic heart valves. Among other advantages, the present disclosure may address one or more of these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, a delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, the delivery device includes an inner shaft, a distal sheath disposed about a portion of the inner shaft and forming a compartment with the inner shaft, the compartment being adapted to receive the prosthetic heart valve, the inner shaft and the distal sheath being slidable relative to one another, and a handle including a frame, a deployment actuator, a lever, and a hub, each of the deployment actuator, the lever, and the hub being independently capable of opening and closing the compartment, a resheathing lock configured to alert a user of a position of the distal sheath relative to the inner shaft and to impede movement of the distal sheath relative to the frame, and an indicator disposed on the frame and capable of showing an extent of deployment of the prosthetic heart valve.

In some embodiments, a delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, the delivery device includes an inner shaft, a distal sheath disposed about a portion of the inner shaft and forming a compartment with the inner shaft, the compartment being adapted to receive the prosthetic heart valve, the inner shaft and the distal sheath being movable relative to one another, and a handle including a frame, a deployment actuator, a lever, and a hub, each of the deployment actuator, the lever, and the hub being independently capable of opening and closing the compartment.

In some embodiments, a delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, the delivery device includes an inner shaft, a distal sheath disposed about a portion of the inner shaft and forming a compartment with the inner shaft, the compartment being adapted to receive the prosthetic heart valve, the inner shaft and the distal sheath being slidable relative to one another, and a handle including a frame, a deployment actuator, a lever, and a visual indicator disposed on the frame and capable of showing an extent of deployment of the prosthetic heart valve, the visual indicator being responsive to actuation of the deployment actuator and being responsive to actuation of the lever.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present delivery system are disclosed herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a prior art collapsible prosthetic heart valve, showing the valve assembly attached to the stent;

FIG. 2A is a highly schematic side elevational view showing partial deployment of a collapsible prosthetic heart valve with high placement according to the prior art;

FIG. 2B is a highly schematic side elevational view showing partial deployment of a collapsible prosthetic heart valve with low placement according to the prior art;

FIG. 3A is side view of an operating handle for a transfemoral delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, shown with a side elevational view of the distal portion of a transfemoral catheter assembly;

FIGS. 3B-D are side, bottom and top views of the operating handle of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3E is side view of the operating handle of FIG. 3A showing the lever in the use position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the carriage assembly of the handle of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged schematic representation of a portion of the threaded rod of the carriage assembly of the operating handle;

FIG. 5B is an enlarged schematic representation of a coupling mechanism between a lever and a threaded rod;

FIG. 6 shows a deployment indicator for use with the operating handle; and

FIGS. 7A-B are schematic illustrations showing the use of the operating handle.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the appended drawings. It is to be appreciated that these drawings depict only some embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein in connection with prosthetic heart valves, the term “proximal” refers to the end of the heart valve closest to the heart when the heart valve is implanted in a patient, whereas the term “distal” refers to the end of the heart valve farthest from the heart when the heart valve is implanted in a patient. When used in connection with devices for delivering a prosthetic heart valve into a patient, the terms “proximal” and “distal” are to be taken as relative to the user of the delivery devices. “Proximal” is to be understood as relatively close to the user, and “distal” is to be understood as relatively farther away from the user.

FIG. 1 shows a collapsible prosthetic heart valve 200 according to the prior art. The prosthetic heart valve 200 is designed to replace the function of a native aortic valve of a patient. Examples of collapsible prosthetic heart valves are described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2009/042196; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,018,406 and 7,329,278, the disclosures of all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. As discussed in detail below, the prosthetic heart valve has an expanded condition and a collapsed condition. Although the delivery system is described herein in connection with its use to deliver a prosthetic heart valve for replacing a native aortic valve, the delivery system is not so limited, and may be used to deliver prosthetic valves for replacing other types of native or prosthetic cardiac valves.

Prosthetic heart valve 200 includes an expandable stent 202 which may be formed from any biocompatible material, such as metals, synthetic polymers or biopolymers capable of functioning as a stent. Stent 202 extends from a proximal or annulus end 230 to a distal or aortic end 232, and includes an annulus section 240 adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section 242 adjacent the distal end. The annulus section 240 has a relatively small cross-section in the expanded condition, while the aortic section 242 has a relatively large cross-section in the expanded condition. Preferably, annulus section 240 is in the form of a cylinder having a substantially constant diameter along its length. A transition section 241 may taper outwardly from the annulus section 240 to the aortic section 242. Each of the sections of the stent 202 includes a plurality of cells 212 connected to one another in one or more annular rows around the stent. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the annulus section 240 may have two annular rows of complete cells 212 and the aortic section 242 and transition section 241 may each have one or more annular rows of partial cells 212. The cells 212 in the aortic section 242 may be larger than the cells 212 in the annulus section 240. The larger cells in the aortic section 242 better enable the prosthetic valve 200 to be positioned without the stent structure interfering with blood flow to the coronary arteries.

Stent 202 may include one or more retaining elements 218 at the distal end 232 thereof, the retaining elements being sized and shaped to cooperate with female retaining structures provided on the deployment device. The engagement of retaining elements 218 with the female retaining structures on the deployment device helps maintain prosthetic heart valve 200 in assembled relationship with the deployment device, minimizes longitudinal movement of the prosthetic heart valve relative to the deployment device during unsheathing or resheathing procedures, and helps prevent rotation of the prosthetic heart valve relative to the deployment device as the deployment device is advanced to the target location and during deployment.

The prosthetic heart valve 200 includes a valve assembly 204 positioned in the annulus section 240. Valve assembly 204 includes a cuff 206 and a plurality of leaflets 208 which collectively function as a one-way valve. The commissure between adjacent leaflets 208 may be connected to commissure features 216 on stent 202. FIG. 1 illustrates a prosthetic heart valve for replacing a native tricuspid valve, such as the aortic valve. Accordingly, prosthetic heart valve 200 is shown in FIG. 1 with three leaflets 208, as well as three commissure features 216. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the commissure features 216 may lie at the intersection of four cells 212, two of the cells being adjacent one another in the same annular row, and the other two cells being in different annular rows and lying in end-to-end relationship. Preferably, commissure features 216 are positioned entirely within annulus section 240 or at the juncture of annulus section 240 and transition section 241. Commissure features 216 may include one or more eyelets which facilitate the suturing of the leaflet commissure to the stent. However, it will be appreciated that the prosthetic heart valves may have a greater or lesser number of leaflets and commissure features. Additionally, although cuff 206 is shown in FIG. 1 as being disposed on the luminal surface of annulus section 240, it is contemplated that the cuff may be disposed on the abluminal surface of annulus section 240, or may cover all or part of either or both of the luminal and abluminal surfaces of annulus section 240. Both the cuff 206 and the leaflets 208 may be wholly or partly formed of any suitable biological material or polymer.

In operation, a prosthetic heart valve, including the prosthetic heart valve described above, may be used to replace a native heart valve, such as the aortic valve, a surgical heart valve or a heart valve that has undergone a surgical procedure. The prosthetic heart valve may be delivered to the desired site (e.g., near a native aortic annulus) using any suitable delivery device, including the delivery devices described in detail below. During delivery, the prosthetic heart valve is disposed inside the delivery device in the collapsed condition. The delivery device may be introduced into a patient using a transfemoral, transapical or transseptal approach. Once the delivery device has reached the target site, the user may deploy the prosthetic heart valve. Upon deployment, the prosthetic heart valve expands into secure engagement within the native aortic annulus. When the prosthetic heart valve is properly positioned inside the heart, it works as a one-way valve, allowing blood to flow in one direction and preventing blood from flowing in the opposite direction.

In a prosthetic heart valve, the valve assembly may be spaced from the distal or aortic end of the stent by a distance that enables deployment of the heart valve by an amount sufficient for the valve leaflets of the prosthetic valve to operate as intended, while the distal end of the stent remains captured by the delivery device. More particularly, as will be explained further below, the annulus end of the prosthetic heart valve may be deployed first, while the aortic end of the prosthetic heart valve remains at least partially covered by a distal sheath of the delivery device. The annulus portion of the prosthetic heart valve may be deployed so that the entirety of the valve leaflets, up to and including the commissures, is deployed and fully operational. By deploying the prosthetic heart valve in this manner, the user can determine whether the valve leaflets are properly positioned relative to the native valve annulus, and whether the valve is functioning properly. If the user determines that the positioning and operation of the valve are acceptable, the remainder of the valve may be deployed. However, if it is determined that the leaflet position is improper or that the valve is not functioning properly, the user may resheathe the valve and either reposition it for redeployment, or remove it entirely from the patient. This can be particularly important in very high risk patients who would typically be recipients of these types of valves, because of the nature of their condition and the impact that may have on the shape and/or condition of the native valve and valve annulus.

As is shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment the entirety of valve assembly 204, including the leaflet commissures, is positioned in the annulus section 240 of stent 202. When opened, the leaflets may extend further into the transition section 241 or may be designed such that they remain substantially completely within the annulus section. That is, substantially the entirety of valve assembly 204 is positioned between the proximal end 230 of stent 202 and the commissure features 216, and none of the valve assembly 204 is positioned between commissure features 216 and the distal end 232 of the stent. Indeed, in some embodiments, the valve can be designed such that, upon partial deployment, the commissure features are fully exposed, oriented generally parallel to the direction of blood flow, and at or near their actual radially expanded position (but not necessarily their eventual position relative to the annulus), such that the leaflets can operate substantially as they would when the valve is fully deployed, even though enough of the stent is still retained within the delivery device or sheath to permit resheathing.

In a preferred arrangement, the distance between commissure features 216 and the distal end 232 of stent 202 will be about two-thirds of the length of the stent from the proximal end 230 to the distal end. This structural arrangement provides advantages in the deployment of prosthetic valve 200 as will be discussed in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. By having the entirety of valve assembly 204 positioned within annulus section 240, and by having a sufficient distance between commissure features 216 and the distal end 232 of stent 202, the valve assembly and commissures will not impede blood flow into the coronary arteries and will not interfere with access thereto during cardiac intervention, such as angiography, annuloplasty or stent placement.

Further, it is possible to partially deploy prosthetic valve 200 so that the valve assembly 204 thereof is able to fully function in its intended position in the native valve annulus, while a sufficient amount of the aortic section 242 is retained within the delivery device should resheathing become necessary. In other words, as will be explained in more detail below, the user may withdraw the distal sheath of the delivery device to gradually expose prosthetic valve 200, beginning at the proximal end 230. Continued withdrawal of the distal sheath will expose a greater extent of the prosthetic valve until the entire annulus section 240 and valve assembly 204 have been exposed. Upon exposure, these portions of the prosthetic valve will expand into engagement with the native valve annulus, entrapping the native valves, except for a small portion immediately adjacent the free end of the distal sheath which will be constrained by the distal sheath from fully expanding.

However, once the distal sheath has been withdrawn to expose a sufficient portion of the aortic section 242, the annulus section 240 will be able to fully expand and valve assembly 204 will be able to function in the same manner as if the entirety of prosthetic valve 200 had been deployed. At this juncture, it will be possible for the user to ascertain whether annulus section 240 and valve assembly 204 have been properly positioned relative to the native valve annulus, and whether the valve assembly is functioning properly.

If the position and operation of valve assembly 204 are acceptable, the distal sheath may be withdrawn further to deploy the remainder of prosthetic valve 200. On the other hand, if the positioning or operation of valve assembly 204 are unacceptable, the user may advance the distal sheath to resheathe the prosthetic valve, reposition the valve and initiate the deployment procedure anew. And if it is determined that the valve is not functioning properly, it can be withdrawn from the patient and a new valve introduced.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the position of the leaflets 208 within the stent 202 can affect the valve functioning during partial deployment. FIG. 2A illustrates a valve assembly 204 with high placement, while FIG. 2B illustrates a valve assembly with low placement. As used herein, the phrase “high placement” of a valve assembly refers to locating the valve assembly within the transition section 241 of the stent 202, or within the portion of the annulus section 240 closest to the transition section. The phrase “low placement” of a valve assembly refers to locating the valve assembly closer to the proximal end 230 of the stent 202 and entirely within the annulus section 240 thereof, such that the leaflets 208 are substantially disposed within the annulus section 208.

As seen in FIG. 2A, during partial deployment the annulus end of the heart valve 200 is unsheathed and allowed to expand. The distal end 232, including the aortic section 242, remains partially sheathed and coupled to the delivery device. Operation of the delivery device is described below in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3A-7B. Turning back to FIG. 2A, it will be appreciated that high placement of valve assembly 204 will cause the valve assembly to not be fully deployed when heart valve 200 is only partially deployed, thereby affecting leaflet function. Specifically, since the commissure features 216 are located closer to or within the transition section 241, they do not reach their fully expanded positions. As such, the leaflets 208 remain partially closed at this stage of deployment. Because of the location of the commissure features 216 and the leaflets 208, the valve assembly 204 cannot be tested during partial deployment. Instead, the user must unsheathe a portion of the aortic section 242 as well, which may pose problems if the valve assembly 204 is to be resheathed and redeployed.

In contrast to the prosthetic heart valve of FIG. 2A, the heart valve 200 of FIG. 2B exhibits low placement of the valve assembly 204 within the annulus section 240. Low placement of the valve assembly 204 enables the valve assembly to fully deploy when heart valve 200 is only partially deployed. As such, leaflets 208 reach their fully expanded and open positions during partial deployment and are able to function near normally, enabling a better assessment of the valve's functioning and final placement within the actual anatomy. Thus, if it appears that the valve needs to be moved, the heart valve 200 may be easily resheathed and repositioned. This concept is beneficial when dealing with less than ideal anatomical configurations.

The shape of the stent 202 during partial deployment will also affect the valve 204. If the stent shape is such that, while still partially retained by the sheath, it cannot open sufficiently to allow operation of the valve, it may not be possible to fully assess the operation of the valve in its intended placement position. Moreover, the height of the valve commissure features 216 relative to the proximal end 230 of the valve will affect the valve function. The lower the commissure features 216, meaning the closer to the proximal end 230, the more they will expand outwardly and the valve leaflets will be able to open during partial deployment, creating a flow passageway through the leaflets which approaches that of a fully deployed valve.

A transfemoral or transapical delivery device may be used to partially deploy the prosthetic heart valve such that an assessment may be made regarding flow through the valve and adequacy of coaptation. If, after the annulus section is unsheathed and the valve is tested, it is found that the valve needs to be repositioned, the annulus section may be resheathed and the valve redeployed as necessary.

Turning now to FIGS. 3A-E, an exemplary transfemoral delivery device 1010 for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve (or other types of self-expanding collapsible stents) has a catheter assembly 1016 for delivering the heart valve to and deploying the heart valve at a target location, and an operating handle 1020 for controlling deployment of the valve from the catheter assembly. The delivery device 1010 extends from a proximal end 1012 to a distal tip 1014. The catheter assembly 1016 is adapted to receive a collapsible prosthetic heart valve (not shown) in a compartment 1023 defined around an inner shaft 1026 and covered by a distal sheath 1024. The inner shaft 1026 extends through the operating handle 1020 to the distal tip 1014 of the delivery device, and includes a retainer 1025 affixed thereto at a spaced distance from distal tip 1014 and adapted to hold a collapsible prosthetic valve in the compartment 1023.

The distal sheath 1024 surrounds the inner shaft 1026 and is slidable relative to the inner shaft such that it can selectively cover or uncover the compartment 1023. The distal sheath 1024 is affixed at its proximal end to an outer shaft 1022, the proximal end of which is connected to the operating handle 1020 in a manner to be described. The distal end 1027 of the distal sheath 1024 abuts the distal tip 1014 when the distal sheath fully covers the compartment 1023, and is spaced apart from the distal tip 1014 when the compartment 1023 is at least partially uncovered.

The operating handle 1020 is adapted to control deployment of a prosthetic valve located in the compartment 1023 by permitting a user to selectively slide the outer shaft 1022 proximally or distally relative to the inner shaft 1026, or to slide the inner shaft 1026 relative to the outer shaft 1022, thereby respectively uncovering or covering the compartment with the distal sheath 1024. Operating handle 1020 includes frame 1030 which extends from a proximal end 1031 to a distal end 1035 and includes a top frame portion 1030 a and a bottom frame portion 1030 b. The proximal end of the inner shaft 1026 is coupled to a hub 1100, that, unless moved manually by a user has a fixed position relative to frame 1030, and the proximal end of the outer shaft 1022 is affixed to a carriage assembly 1040 (FIG. 4) that is slidable within the operating handle along a longitudinal axis of the frame 1030, such that a user can selectively slide the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft by sliding the carriage assembly relative to the frame. Alternatively, hub 110 may be used to withdraw inner shaft 1026 distally out from the distal sheath to uncover the compartment or proximally into distal sheath 1024 to cover the compartment, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

A first mechanism for covering and uncovering the compartment 1023 will be referred to a “fine” technique as covering and uncovering occurs slowly with a high degree of precision. To allow for this technique, frame 1030 defines an elongated space 1035 in which carriage assembly 1040 may travel (FIG. 5A). The elongated space preferably permits the carriage assembly 1040 to travel a distance that is at least as long as the anticipated length of the prosthetic valve to be delivered (e.g., at least about 50 mm), such that the distal sheath 1024 can be fully retracted off of the prosthetic valve.

The carriage assembly 1040 includes a main body 1041 and a threaded rod 1036 extending proximally therefrom in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame 1030. The threaded rod 1036 preferably is longer than the anticipated maximum travel distance of the carriage assembly 1040 within the elongated space 1035 (e.g., at least about 50 mm), such that the threaded rod does not fully withdraw from the elongated space 1035 during deployment of the prosthetic valve.

A deployment actuator 1021, shown in FIGS. 3A-D as a wheel whose central axis of rotation is parallel to the longitudinal axis of frame 1030, protrudes through apertures 1032 a and 1032 b from the top and bottom of frame 1030 is fixedly coupled to a first gear 1038 so that rotation of actuator 1021 causes a corresponding rotation of gear 1038 (FIG. 5A). Gear 1038, in turn, is threadedly engaged with threaded rod 1036. Thus, gear 1038 convert rotation of deployment actuator 1021 into longitudinal translation of threaded rod 1036 in the direction of arrows T1 and T2 and a corresponding translation of main body 1041. Apertures 1032 a and 1032 b, however, captures actuator 1021 and maintain it in a fixed longitudinal position relative to frame 1030. Hence, rotation of actuator 1021 in one direction (either clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the orientation of the threads on the threaded rod 1036) causes the carriage assembly 1040 to translate proximally within the elongated space 1035.

As outer shaft 1022 is fixedly connected to carriage assembly 1040, translation of the carriage assembly results in a longitudinal translation of outer shaft 1022 and with it distal sheath 1024. Thus, deployment actuator 1021 is configured to provide for fine movement of distal sheath 1024 for deployment and recapture of the prosthetic heart valve. The coarseness of the threads in threaded rod 1036 as well as their pitch will determine how fine this movement will be, i.e., how far the threaded rod will travel longitudinally with each rotation of actuator 1021. As deployment actuator 1021 protrudes from the top and bottom of frame 1030 approximately halfway between the proximal and distal ends of the handle 1020, a user may readily rotate the actuator with his or her thumb and/or index finger (FIG. 7A).

Optionally, handle 1020 further includes a resheathing lock 1043 adapted to prevent any longitudinal translation of main body 1041 within the frame 1030, thereby preventing a user from accidentally initiating deployment of the prosthetic valve (FIG. 3D). Resheathing lock 1043 may be coupled to main body 1041 so as to move along the elongated space 1035 with the carriage assembly 1040. The resheathing lock 1043 may include a pin 1044 which extends laterally from main body 1041 toward frame 1030. Pin 1044 may be hollow and a spring 1045 may be assembled therein. In an unlocked condition of resheathing lock 1043, pin 1044 will be in a compressed condition with its free end contacting an interior surface of frame 1030 and spring 1045 compressed against main body 1041. As the user rotates deployment actuator 1021, outer shaft 1022 is pulled back and with it distal sheath 1024 to uncover a portion of compartment 1023. As this process proceeds, carriage assembly 1040 will move proximally within frame 1030, with free end of pin 1044 sliding along the inner surface of the frame in a compressed condition. This process may continue until a predetermined position past which resheathing is no longer possible. When this predetermined position is reached, pin 1044 will be aligned with the aperture in the frame and the biasing force will put the pin outwardly through the aperture until the pin protrudes from frame 1030 (FIG. 5A), providing a visual indicator to the user that resheathing is no longer possible past this predetermined position. When this occurs, this engagement of pin 1044 through frame 1030 will prevent further retraction of distal sheath 1024 and will provide a visual indicator to the user to check the position and function of the prosthetic heart valve before full deployment occurs. In order to further translate the carriage assembly 1040, the user must press pin 1044 inwardly until the free end of the pin slides inside the frame to confirm that further uncovering of compartment 1023 is desired (i.e., that the user wishes to fully deploy the prosthetic heart valve in its current position).

The initial distance that the carriage assembly 1040 can travel before actuating resheathing lock 1043 may depend on the structure of the particular prosthetic valve to be deployed. Preferably, the initial travel distance of the carriage assembly 1040 is about 3 mm to about 5 mm less than the crimped valve length (e.g., about 3 mm to 5 mm of the valve may remain covered to permit resheathing). Alternatively, the initial travel distance of the carriage assembly 1040 may be about 40 mm to about 45 mm, which is about 80% to about 90% of the length of an exemplary 50 mm valve. In other arrangements, the initial distance that the carriage assembly 1040 can travel can be determined as a percentage of the length of the prosthetic valve and/or of the compartment 1023, including, for example, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 85%, or 95%. Thus, resheathing lock 1043 may allow uncovering of compartment 1023 up to a maximum distance or percentage, and allow further uncovering only after the user has pressed on laterally projecting pin 1044 to confirm that additional release (e.g., full release of the prosthetic heart valve) is desired.

Operating handle 1020 may be configured to provide a second “fine technique” for covering or recapturing the heart prosthetic heart valve. As shown in FIGS. 3A-E, operating handle 1020 may include an elongated lever 1400 disposed on bottom frame portion 1030 b between proximal end 1031 and deployment actuator 1021. Lever 1400 may include a series of lateral ribs 1401 to increase a user's grip. Lever 1400 may be hingedly connected to one end of frame 1030 and configured to pivot between an inactive position in which lever 1400 is substantially parallel with frame 1030 and docked flush therewith (FIG. 3A), and a use position in which lever 1400 is angled with respect to frame 1030 (FIG. 3E). For example, lever 1400 may form an angle “a” of approximately 10 to 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of frame 1030. Handle 1020 may include a release mechanism 1402 which allows lever 1400 to move from the inactive position to the use position. In one simple example, release mechanism 1402 includes a clip 1402 a on lever 1400 that mates with groove 1402 b on the frame, clip 1402 a being engaged with groove 1402 b in the inactive position of lever 1400. Pushing clip 1402 a while pivoting lever 1400 away from frame 1030 may release clip 1402 a from groove 1402 b and place the lever in the use position. It will be understood that other configurations and examples are possible to release lever 1400 and allow it to transition to the use position from the inactive position.

Lever 1400 may be coupled to one or more curved rails 1403 having teeth 1404 along its length. Teeth 1404 may in turn be engaged with pinion gear 1410 supported by plate 1412, (FIG. 5B). Pinion gear 1410 may in turn be engaged with teeth of rack 1411 extending parallel to longitudinal axis of frame 1030. Rack 1411 may be connected to threaded rod 1036. Squeezing of lever 1400 from the use position toward frame 1030 results in rotation of pinion gear 1410 in the distal direction, which in turn results in translation of rack 1411. Movement of rack 1411 results in translation of threaded rod 1036 and main body 1041 to cover a prosthetic heart valve. Teeth 1404 and pinion gear 1410 may be provided with a ratchet-type action such that multiple squeezes of lever 1400 result in further advancement of threaded rod 1036. Thus, squeezing of lever 1400 against frame 1030 causes movement of carriage assembly 1040 in one direction only—in this case, distally to advance distal sheath 1024 and cover the prosthetic heart valve.

Optionally, plate 1412 may include a boss 1413 that protrudes through an aperture in frame 1030. Plate 1412 may be mounted to frame 1030 so as to be slidable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame. Depressing boss 1413 will cause plate 1412 to slide transversely to the longitudinal axis of frame 1030 until pinion gear 1410 is disengaged from the teeth of rack 1411. Additionally, handle 1020 may include a split nut mechanism that decouples deployment actuator 1021 from threaded rod 1036. One example of a split nut mechanism is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/788,820, filed Mar. 7, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. Using such a mechanism a user may toggle a switch on the handle between a first position, located near the proximal end of the device where lever 1400 is engaged and a second position, located toward the distal end of the device where deployment actuator 1021 engages threaded rod 1036. In one example, only one of lever 1400 and deployment actuator 1021 is in a working state at a time. Thus, deployment actuator 1021 becomes ineffective when lever 1400 is used and vice versa. Moreover, returning lever 1400 from the use position back to the inactive position recouples deployment actuator 1021 with gear 1038 so that the use of deployment actuator is again possible.

Additionally, a “coarse technique,” may be used to cover and uncover compartment 1023 more quickly and with less precision than the fine technique described above. Specifically, hub 1100 may be coupled to the proximal end of inner shaft 1026 and may be capable of moving the inner shaft relative to frame 1030 to facilitate opening and closing of the compartment 1023. This coarse movement may be used when no prosthetic heart valve is present in the compartment, such as, for example, when the compartment is to be opened prior to loading the prosthetic heart valve therein, and when the compartment is to be closed after the valve has been fully deployed. A mechanical lock 1110 may couple hub 1100 to frame 1030 to prevent accidental movement of inner shaft 1026 while a prosthetic heart valve is loaded in compartment 1023. For example, hub 1100 and a portion of frame 1030 may be threadedly engaged such that a small rotation of the hub relative to the frame is required to release the hub from the frame. After lock 1110 has been disengaged, hub 1100 may be used to quickly cover or uncover the compartment. Movement of inner shaft 1026 relative to outer shaft 1022 may open and close the compartment. Thus, pushing hub 1100 moves inner shaft 1026 distally relative to outer shaft 1022 to open the compartment, and pulling hub 1100 proximally relative to outer shaft 1022 to closes the compartment.

Optionally, an indicator window 1500 (FIG. 6) may be disposed on top of frame 1030 and include a series of increments 1510 showing a percent or extent of deployment of the prosthetic heart valve. A scrolling bar 1520 may move along window 1500 past the series of increments 1510 as deployment continues to illustrate to the user the extent to which the prosthetic heart valve has been deployed. As illustrated, scrolling bar 1520 indicates that a prosthetic heart valve is approximately 37.5% deployed. Indicator window 1500 further includes a critical indicator 1530 showing the position past which resheathing is no longer possible. Resheathing lock 1043 may be activated as scrolling bar 1520, which is coupled to main body 1041, reaches position 1530.

The operation of the delivery device 1010 to deploy a prosthetic valve will now be described. Device 1010 may be shipped with outer shaft 1022 in its proximal-most position. Hub 1100 may also be initially shipped in a proximal-most position, the hub being spaced away from the proximal end of frame 1030 as shown in FIG. 3A. To load the delivery device 1010 with a collapsible prosthetic valve, a user can push hub 1100 toward the proximal end 1031 of frame 1030 (and advance inner shaft 1022) to expose the compartment 1023 (FIG. 7B), thread the inner shaft 1026 through the valve, couple the valve to the retainer 1025, and slide the distal sheath back over compartment to compress or crimp the valve by rotating deployment actuator 1021 (FIG. 7A) or using lever 1400, until the valve is fully covered in its compressed state by the distal sheath and the compartment is closed. In this starting condition, the handle 1020 will be in an initial state with the carriage assembly 1040 at its distalmost position within the frame 1030, the resheathing lock 1043 is in an unlocked state with pin 1044 disposed within frame 1030, the hub 1100 is against the proximal end 1031 of frame 1030, and the deployment indicator will show 0% deployment.

To use the operating handle 1020 to deploy the prosthetic valve, the user can rotate the deployment actuator 1021 (FIG. 7A), causing the carriage assembly 1040 to slide proximally within the elongated space 1035 in frame 1030. Because the distal sheath 1024 is affixed to the outer shaft 1022, which in turn is affixed to the carriage assembly 1040, sliding the carriage assembly proximally relative to the frame will cause the distal sheath to move proximally. Since the inner shaft 1026 is at this point fixed to frame 1030, it will not move. Hence, the proximal movement of distal sheath 1024 relative to inner shaft 1026 will uncover the compartment 1023, thereby exposing and initiating deployment of the valve located therein.

Movement of the carriage assembly 1040 proximally may continue only until the resheathing lock 1043 is actuated and pin 1044 protrudes from frame 1030. At this point, the distal sheath 1024 will not be fully withdrawn from the compartment 1023, and the prosthetic valve will not be fully deployed. Moreover, indicator window 1500 will show that scrolling bar 1520 has reached critical indicator 1530 and that any further uncovering of the compartment will fully deploy the prosthetic heart valve and prevent its resheathing.

When the deployment procedure has reached this juncture, the user can evaluate the position of the valve and determine whether the annulus end of the valve is properly aligned relative to the patient's native valve annulus. If repositioning is desired, the user may resheathe the valve by using deployment actuator 1021 to slide the carriage assembly 1040 distally within the frame 1030, thereby moving the distal sheath 1024 distally over the compartment 1023 and over the partially deployed valve to recollapse the expanded portion of the valve.

Alternatively, if the user prefers the use of lever 1400 to deployment actuator 1021 to resheathe the prosthetic heart valve, the user may actuate release mechanism 1402 by decoupling clip 1402 a from groove 1402 b to pivot the lever 1400 from the inactive position in which it is flush with the frame to the use position in which it is angled with respect to the frame (FIG. 7B). In some examples, such as those using a split nut mechanism, the user may place lever 1400 in its use position and use a switch to suspend the function of deployment actuator 1021 by decoupling the deployment actuator from threaded rod 1036. The user may then repeatedly squeeze lever 1400 against frame 1030 to incrementally actuate threaded rod 1036 and push distal sheath distally to cover the prosthetic heart valve. In some examples, multiple squeezes (e.g., four or five) may be required to completely cover prosthetic heart valve. Alternatively, lever 1400 may be configured so that one squeeze completely covers the prosthetic heart valve. Once the valve has been completely covered (i.e., compartment 1023 is closed), the user may return lever 1400 to is inactive position by coupling clip 1402 a with groove 1402 b. If the function of deployment actuator 1021 has been suspended, a switch may again be used to engage the split nut mechanism and couple actuator 1021 to the threaded rod so that use of deployment actuator 1021 is possible. With the valve resheathed, the user can reposition the catheter assembly 1016 and commence the deployment procedure once again using deployment actuator 1021.

Once the valve has been properly positioned relative to the aortic annulus, the user may complete the deployment process. To do so, the user presses pin 1044 through the aperture in the frame, releasing lock 1043, which frees carriage assembly 1040 to continue its movement proximally within the frame 1030. The user can complete the deployment of the valve by continuing to slide the carriage assembly 1040 proximally, for example, by rotating the deployment actuator 1021. When the valve has been fully unsheathed, the stent portion of the valve self-expands and disengages from the retainer 1025, thereby releasing the valve from the catheter assembly 1016. Hub 1100 may once again be used to quickly cover the compartment and the delivery device may be removed from the patient.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

It will be appreciated that the various dependent claims and the features set forth therein can be combined in different ways than presented in the initial claims. It will also be appreciated that the features described in connection with individual embodiments may be shared with others of the described embodiments.

In summary, the disclosure herein recites multiple embodiments to summarize the foregoing. Described herein is a delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device may include an inner shaft, a distal sheath disposed about a portion of the inner shaft and forming a compartment with the inner shaft, and a handle including a frame, a deployment actuator, a lever, and a hub. The compartment may be adapted to receive the prosthetic heart valve. The inner shaft and the distal sheath may be slidable relative to one another. Each of the deployment actuator, the lever, and the hub may be independently capable of opening and closing the compartment. The handle may include a resheathing lock configured to alert a user of a position of the distal sheath relative to the inner shaft and to impede movement of the distal sheath relative to the frame. The handle may include and an indicator disposed on the frame and capable of showing an extent of deployment of the prosthetic heart valve; and/or

the lever may be pivotable from a first inactive position in which the lever is relatively close to the frame, and a use position in which the lever is spaced apart from the frame; and/or

the lever may form an angle of between 10 and 45 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the frame in the use position; and/or

the deployment actuator may include a wheel having an axis of rotation disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis of the frame; and/or

operation of the deployment actuator may longitudinally translate the distal sheath relative to the inner shaft to cover or uncover the compartment; and/or

the hub may be attached to a proximal end of the inner shaft such that movement of the hub longitudinally toward the frame translates the inner shaft to uncover the compartment and movement of the hub longitudinally away from the frame translates the inner shaft to cover the compartment; and/or

the delivery device may include a carriage assembly having a threaded rod, the deployment actuator being operatively coupled to the threaded rod so that rotation of the deployment actuator results in translation of the carriage assembly along a longitudinal axis of the frame; and/or

the lever may be operatively coupled to the carriage assembly such that movement of the lever relative to the frame results in translation of the carriage assembly in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the frame; and/or

the resheathing lock may include a pin having a first position in which the pin is disposed within the frame, and a second position in which the pin protrudes from the frame.

Also described herein is another delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device may include an inner shaft, a distal sheath disposed about a portion of the inner shaft and forming a compartment with the inner shaft, and a handle including a frame, a deployment actuator, a lever, and a hub. The compartment may be adapted to receive the prosthetic heart valve. The inner shaft and the distal sheath may be movable relative to one another. Each of the deployment actuator, the lever, and the hub may be independently capable of opening and closing the compartment; and/or

the delivery device may include a resheathing lock configured to visually alert a user of a predetermined position of the distal sheath relative to the inner shaft and to impede movement of the distal sheath relative to the frame; and/or

the resheathing lock may include a pin having a first position in which the pin is disposed within the frame, and a second position in which the pin protrudes from the frame; and/or

movement of the resheathing lock may release the distal sheath for movement relative to the frame; and/or

the delivery device may include an indicator disposed on the frame and capable of showing an extent of deployment of the prosthetic heart valve; and/or

the indicator may include a window in the frame having a series of increments, a critical indicator showing a position past which resheathing of the prosthetic heart valve is no longer possible, and a scrolling bar to illustrate the extent of deployment of the prosthetic heart valve.

Also described herein is yet another delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device may include an inner shaft, a distal sheath disposed about a portion of the inner shaft and forming a compartment with the inner shaft, and a handle including a frame, a deployment actuator, a lever, and a visual indicator. The compartment may be adapted to receive the prosthetic heart valve. The inner shaft and the distal sheath may be slidable relative to one another. The visual indicator may be disposed on the frame and capable of showing an extent of deployment of the prosthetic heart valve. The visual indicator may be responsive to actuation of the deployment actuator and may be responsive to actuation of the lever; and/or

the indicator may include a window in the frame having a series of increments, a critical indicator showing a position past which resheathing of the prosthetic heart valve is no longer possible, and a scrolling bar to illustrate the extent of deployment of the prosthetic heart valve; and/or

the delivery device may include a resheathing lock configured to alert a user of a predetermined position of the distal sheath relative to the inner shaft and to impede movement of the distal sheath relative to the frame. 

1. A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, the delivery device comprising: an inner shaft; a distal sheath disposed about a portion of the inner shaft and forming a compartment with the inner shaft, the compartment being adapted to receive the prosthetic heart valve, the inner shaft and the distal sheath being slidable relative to one another; and a handle including a frame, a deployment actuator, a lever, and a hub, each of the deployment actuator, the lever, and the hub being independently capable of opening and closing the compartment, a resheathing lock configured to alert a user of a position of the distal sheath relative to the inner shaft and to impede movement of the distal sheath relative to the frame, and an indicator disposed on the frame and capable of showing an extent of deployment of the prosthetic heart valve.
 2. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the lever is pivotable from a first inactive position in which the lever is relatively close to the frame, and a use position in which the lever is spaced apart from the frame.
 3. The delivery device of claim 2, wherein the lever forms an angle of between 10 and 45 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the frame in the use position.
 4. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the deployment actuator includes a wheel having an axis of rotation disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis of the frame.
 5. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein operation of the deployment actuator longitudinally translates the distal sheath relative to the inner shaft to cover or uncover the compartment.
 6. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the hub is attached to a proximal end of the inner shaft such that movement of the hub longitudinally toward the frame translates the inner shaft to uncover the compartment and movement of the hub longitudinally away from the frame translates the inner shaft to cover the compartment.
 7. The delivery device of claim 1, further including a carriage assembly having a threaded rod, the deployment actuator being operatively coupled to the threaded rod so that rotation of the deployment actuator results in translation of the carriage assembly along a longitudinal axis of the frame.
 8. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the lever is operatively coupled to the carriage assembly such that movement of the lever relative to the frame results in translation of the carriage assembly in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the frame.
 9. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the resheathing lock includes a pin having a first position in which the pin is disposed within the frame, and a second position in which the pin protrudes from the frame.
 10. A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, the delivery device comprising: an inner shaft; a distal sheath disposed about a portion of the inner shaft and forming a compartment with the inner shaft, the compartment being adapted to receive the prosthetic heart valve, the inner shaft and the distal sheath being movable relative to one another; and a handle including a frame, a deployment actuator, a lever, and a hub, each of the deployment actuator, the lever, and the hub being independently capable of opening and closing the compartment.
 11. The delivery device of claim 10, further comprising a resheathing lock configured to visually alert a user of a predetermined position of the distal sheath relative to the inner shaft and to impede movement of the distal sheath relative to the frame.
 12. The delivery device of claim 11, wherein the resheathing lock includes a pin having a first position in which the pin is disposed within the frame, and a second position in which the pin protrudes from the frame.
 13. The delivery device of claim 12, wherein movement of the resheathing lock releases the distal sheath for movement relative to the frame.
 14. The delivery device of claim 10, further comprising an indicator disposed on the frame and capable of showing an extent of deployment of the prosthetic heart valve.
 15. The delivery device of claim 14, wherein the indicator includes a window in the frame having a series of increments, a critical indicator showing a position past which resheathing of the prosthetic heart valve is no longer possible, and a scrolling bar to illustrate the extent of deployment of the prosthetic heart valve.
 16. A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, the delivery device comprising: an inner shaft; a distal sheath disposed about a portion of the inner shaft and forming a compartment with the inner shaft, the compartment being adapted to receive the prosthetic heart valve, the inner shaft and the distal sheath being slidable relative to one another; and a handle including a frame, a deployment actuator, a lever, and a visual indicator disposed on the frame and capable of showing an extent of deployment of the prosthetic heart valve, the visual indicator being responsive to actuation of the deployment actuator and being responsive to actuation of the lever.
 17. The delivery device of claim 16, wherein the indicator includes a window in the frame having a series of increments, a critical indicator showing a position past which resheathing of the prosthetic heart valve is no longer possible, and a scrolling bar to illustrate the extent of deployment of the prosthetic heart valve.
 18. The delivery device of claim 16, further comprising a resheathing lock configured to alert a user of a predetermined position of the distal sheath relative to the inner shaft and to impede movement of the distal sheath relative to the frame. 